Colin Cowherd has had a lot less to say about the WNBA in recent weeks. Between the start of football season and the absence of Caitlin Clark due to injuries, his interest seems to be waning. But he had a lot to say about the league on Thursday.
On Thursday, Cowherd addressed a recent statement by Chicago Sky star Angel Reese expressing dissatisfaction with the state of the team. Cowherd then went on a discussion about how the WNBA is suddenly much less interesting without superstar Caitlin Clark.
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“There’s a portion of the media that is very pro-WNBA, to a fault. And then there’s those of us that are realistic. How many times have you watched WNBA games since Caitlin Clark got hurt?” Cowherd said. “Now think about this: It led our show over last summer… I think I led with the WNBA six times. Either way, I talk about what’s interesting. Notice how I didn’t talk about it this year? It’s not because I suddenly dislike the league.
“Caitlin Clark IS the league. I don’t know what the ratings are but I would watch all the time.”
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Cowherd doesn’t seem to feel that the WNBA has as much juice or compelling storylines when Clark isn’t there. He likened it to the golf world while Tiger Woods was dominating in the 90s and early-2000s: Plenty of other good golfers, but none as interesting as Woods.
IOWA CITY, IA – MAY 4: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever stands for the National Anthem before the game against the Brazil Women’s National Basketball Team during the WNBA preseason game on May 4, 2025 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)Jeff Haynes/Getty Images
The Caitlin Clark Effect
The WNBA has enjoyed substantial ratings growth since Clark entered the league in 2024. And even in her absence the league continues to enjoy strong numbers.
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Contrary to what Cowherd suspects, the WNBA has still been seeing record numbers even in the absence of Caitlin Clark.
Last month alone a game between the Indiana Fever and Seattle Storm pulled in two million viewers without Clark in the lineup. It was up 28-percent from last year’s season average.
While we can wonder how much bigger the number might have been if Clark had played, it seems that at least a large number of fans have decided to make the WNBA a part of their sports viewing experience regularly now.
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This story was originally reported by The Spun on Sep 4, 2025, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.